Housing Help
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Community / NonprofitRent bank / emergency loan LondonVerified June 2026

Housing Stability Bank (Salvation Army Centre of Hope)

London's rent bank, run by the Salvation Army Centre of Hope's Housing Stability Services in partnership with the City of London. It gives interest-free loans to help pay rent you owe (rental arrears) and last month's rent, plus grants or interest-free loans for utility bills you owe (gas, electricity, water). First and last month's rent loans are only for people on ODSP.

What you get

Emergency rent money

Who it's for

Low-income people in London who are housed or trying to get housing and are at risk of becoming homeless.

Start your application

This takes you to the official website

What to have ready

Documents they may ask for

  • Government ID for everyone in your household, if available
  • A copy of your lease or rent agreement
  • Recent rent receipt, ledger, or proof of what you owe
  • Any rent arrears notice or eviction notice
  • Recent pay stubs, benefit statement, or income proof
  • ODSP, Ontario Works, CPP, OAS, or other benefit statement if you have one

What to say when you call

Hi, I need help paying my rent and I may be behind. Can you tell me what emergency rent help is open, what documents I need, and the fastest way to apply?

If no one answers, leave your name and number slowly, then try 211 while you wait.

Can I get this?

You have a good chance if this sounds like you:

  • Low-income people in London who are housed or trying to get housing and are at risk of becoming homeless
  • You must live in London and have a low income
  • First and last month's rent loans are only for people receiving ODSP

What to do next

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The fine print

More details about the money

Interest-free loans for rent you owe and (for ODSP recipients) last/first month's rent. The loan is paid back over time. Utility help is a grant or interest-free loan, given until the yearly grant money runs out. Exact dollar limits are not published.

Amounts and eligibility change. Confirm the current figure with the program administrator through the official link before you rely on it.

The full eligibility rules

Low-income people in London who are housed or trying to get housing and are at risk of becoming homeless. You must live in London and have a low income. First and last month's rent loans are only for people receiving ODSP.

Good to know

Formerly called The Rent Bank. The Centre of Hope's own Housing Stability Bank page lists 519-661-0343 as the contact number, so that is used as the primary phone. The InformationLondon directory record lists a more specific intake/appointment line, 519-964-3663 ext. 300 (Housing Support Services) - if the main line cannot route the caller, try ext. 300. Service area: London. Confirmed via WebFetch of the Centre of Hope page on 2026-06-13: rental-arrears and emergency-utility loans/grants are open to low-income Londoners; last-month's and first-month's rent loans are ODSP-only.

Official sources we checked
Official program page
This is a summary to get you started — the official page always has the final say. Spot something wrong? Tell us.
This guide is published by Mithulan Perinpanayagam, CPA, CA, who also co-founds Foundation Capital, a private real-estate firm that operates rental housing. Foundation Capital does not set its rents based on anything on this site. This guide is information only — not financial, legal, tax, or benefits advice, and using it does not create a professional relationship. Always confirm current details with the program administrator through the official link before you rely on them.

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